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JV Start Strong, Cannot Finish Off San Marin

On paper, the Giants should have won Tuesday night. Starting pitcher, Kyle Felder, was cruising, having only thrown 28 pitches through three innings, giving up just two hits, zero walks and striking out two. Redwood out hit the Mustangs 6 to 4 but, in the end, dropped their first MCAL game 4-3 to San Marin High School. The Baseball Gods were not to blame in what really worked out to be a tale of two teams.

In the first inning, defensively, Felder was helped by a 9-6 double play after Jack Morken got underneath a hit to right and threw the lead runner out at second. Morken would lead off the top of the second with a hard hit ball off the right-center field fence. Sam Warren put the ball in play to advance Morken to second. Ryan Jessen drove the ball to left, advancing Morken to third. With runners at the corners, an early steal from Ryan would land him safely at second. Kyle Felder helped his cause by doubling to right field, scoring both runners. (2-0, Redwood)

In the bottom half of the second, Felder would once again get the help of his teammates. After hitting the leadoff batter and striking out the next, Jacob Klionsky came to the aid of his pitcher with a diving catch in center. The ball ended up bouncing out of Jacob’s glove and down his jersey. The old hidden ball trick allowed Klionsky to pull off an 8-3 double play to end the inning.

In the third inning, Klionsky would get hit by a pitch. A wild throw over to first would land Jacob on second base. He would eventually steal third before catcher, Jake Nordstrom, doubled to left field, scoring Klionsky. (3-0, Redwood). Unfortunately, Jake would get doubled up after getting caught off base at second, eliminating the RBI opportunity for Jack Morken, who drove the ball off the left field fence for a stand-up double. Redwood could not capitalize any further and the score remained 3-0 in their favor through three innings of play.

In the fourth inning, Redwood’s fortunes would start to change. A lead-off walk by Ryan Jessen followed by a chopper to short by Nick Cook, would give the Giants runners at first and second. However, a hard hit ball to right field by Felder would be caught and Jessen would be doubled up at second base. Nick Cook then got caught stealing second base to end the promising start. In the bottom half of the frame, the Giants would start to leave open the front door for San Marin, walking a host of batters (4) and loading the bases. San Marin would take advantage and score two runs (3-2, Redwood).

In the fifth inning, San Marin would take advantage of two free bases and a costly Redwood error to take the lead 4-3. Jake Hake entered the game in the bottom of the fifth to pitch the Giants out of any further trouble, striking out the final batter looking at a nasty curve ball.

Down a run, the Giants showed promise in the sixth inning. Jackson Barry lead off with a single to left-field. Jared Robinow entered the game to run for Barry. Sam Warren connected with a ball, sending it under the glove of the Mustang third baseman. Redwood had runners at first and second with one out, but could not cash in on the opportunity. In the bottom half of the sixth, relief pitcher, Jack Hake, was helped by a timely double-play to keep the Mustangs within one run for the seventh inning.

Jackson Bender started things off by drawing a walk. An errant throw to first would advance Bender to second. Zack Gordon put the ball in play to the right side of the infield, advancing Bender to third base. With one out, Jacob Klionsky would draw a walk. Unfortunately, Jacob would get picked off at first base for the second out. The game was still in reach after Jake Nordstrom was given a free trot to first base. Jake would try and lure a throw to second on an early steal, landing safely at second. Jackson Barry battled gallantly at the plate and drove the ball hard to right field to end the contest as the ball landed in the outfielder’s glove. The Giants will certainly put the base-running errors and walks in their rear-view mirror and come back to right the ship. Final Score: 4-3, San Marin. Pictures are available at: http://www.jordanwarren.photography/p628617825

The Giant’s next visit Novato High School this Friday, March 17th, first pitch-4:30.